How to manage time? Busy person’s 101

November and December are usually very busy months which means that we need to pay more attention to time management. So many deadlines at the Uni or work, lots of pre-Christmas parties and other celebrations as well as Christmas preparations. So how to manage time and not to stress too much about all the things on the checklist? I listed my best tricks to keep up with a busy schedule.

1. Prioritise

Prioritising is probably the most important thing when it comes to time management. Decide what are the things you really have to finish and the things you really want to put your time into. Not all of these things will be your favorites but if you don’t want to start over that one task you’ve already postponed forever, you need to prioritise it.

2. It’s okay to say no sometimes

Remember that we only have 24 hours a day after all. We can’t possibly attend every single interesting event or say yes every time our cousin’s brother’s friend’s mum’s auntie asks us to hang out. Your career will most likely turn out better if you don’t burn yourself out by working overtime too often or by being part of too many projects. Your friends will understand if you have to say no sometimes. And your true friends will be your friends even if you didn’t go out with them every time they ask. Even fun social events might sometimes feel like they’re too much, especially if your week is full of them, so remember to prioritise yourself and your own wellbeing.

3. Write everything down on your calendar

Writing things down helps you to get a grasp of the big picture and manage your time. I think calendar works the same way as a diary – when you write your thoughts down on a paper, you sort of get rid of them and can manage them better. Instead of going through everything in your head all the time and stressing about time, you can just take a look at your calendar and see what’s on your schedule today. But remember not to write down only the deadlines but also for example the chapters you have to read from an exam book each day before the deadline.

4. Stop procrastinating or scrolling through social media every other minute

Do you know how much time you spend on your phone every day? Or how much time you spend procrastinating every day? Imagine if you spent all that time being productive and working on the things you have to finish. But how will you start? Well, it’s quite simple. Just put your phone away and start. 🙂 There are plenty of apps to help you with this; they will reward you every time you spend a certain time without touching your phone. But if you feel like the problem is in the a lack of motivation, take a look at my post here.

5. Pay attention to your sleeping habits

Sleep has a major effect on our concentration and productivity as well as time management. Whenever I’ve had a bad night’s sleep or haven’t had time to sleep long enough, I really can’t focus on anything and I feel like I’m all over the place. What works for me, is getting up the same time every morning and having a routine. If I have troubles falling asleep at night, I do a tough workout the next day to get my body nice and tired. Or if the problem is stressing too much, I make time for a long walk before going to bed and maybe write a page or two in my diary to unwind and feel relaxed before bedtime. However, the key is in the routines – eating a snack and going to bed around the same time every night is very important.